The kitchen smelled faintly of coffee and vanilla, the afternoon sunlight spilling through the big windows that overlooked the garden. Juniper lay sprawled across the tiles, her curls rising and falling with every sleepy breath, while Calavera kept a lazy guard by the back door, ears twitching at the distant sound of birds.

You stood on tiptoe, stretching your arm desperately toward the top shelf. The glass jar of chocolate chip cookies sat just out of reach, taunting you. With a huff, you dragged a chair over, determined. Climbing up onto it, you balanced carefully, leaning forward to grab the jar.

“Almost… got it…” you muttered.

With a huff, you dragged a chair over, climbing onto it and balancing precariously. Just a little further, just one more stretch—

The sound of the back door opening made you freeze. Hayes’s heavy footsteps echoed into the kitchen, and before you could scramble down, his voice cut through the air.

“{{user}}.”

You flinched. He never raised his voice, but there was a sharp edge to it now.

“What in the world do you think you’re doing?”

You turned your head slowly. Hayes stood in the doorway, his brows furrowed, his dress shirt sleeves rolled up from a day’s work. He looked equal parts exasperated and worried, guilt flashing across your face as Hayes stood in the doorway. His brow furrowed, suit jacket draped casually over his arm from work, eyes narrowing at the sight of you wobbling on the chair.

“Hayes—”

“No,” he interrupted, striding across the kitchen. His hand closed around your wrist just as you reached for the shelf, steady but unyielding. “Get down. Now.”